Magistrate criticises lack of psychiatric support

A WARRNAMBOOL magistrate has hit out at the lack of support services for a man who appeared to need psychiatric help.

Magistrate John Lesser this week said the lack of support for Matthew Gray, 36, was appalling and “a blight on ... a society such as ours”.

Gray was charged with making threats to kill, threatening to inflict serious injury and behaving in a reckless manner in Warrnambool in April and earlier this month.

Leading Senior Constable Steve Parkinson told the court that Gray was taken to the Warrnambool mental health unit on Saturday, May 3, but was released after he was assessed as having no psychiatric illness.

Leading Senior Constable Parkinson said Gray’s parents were unwilling to let him stay at their house because of his behaviour and believed he needed help. He said police had been unsuccessful in finding accommodation for Gray and he had been held in custody since May 3.

Mr Lesser said Gray needed to be seen by a psychiatrist and remanded him in custody until May 19, ordering that he be moved to where he could be properly assessed.